With their name up in lights on all the approach roads to the town, the Steve Prescott Bridge turning purple and a radio interview on the most listened to breakfast radio show in the country, Soroptimists in St Helens certainly made their mark on International Women’s Day 2018. Below, they tell us what happened in the leas up to, and on the day itself.
Day of Action March 8th
The heavy early morning snow didn’t stop members Pam and Anne appearing on Radio Merseyside breakfast show at 7:20am with Tony Snell.
During the interview they talked about Soroptimism and the work of SI St Helens. A quick breakfast then back on the train to finalise arrangements with St Helens College for their big event on March 10th.
President Sandra and the 3 members of the executive committee, that managed to get through the snow, met at the World of Glass to plan the club AGM while members Anne, Doreen and June went to the Food Bank to deliver the first of the club’s £75 monthly deliveries of sanitary products. This links into our lobbying to ‘end period poverty’ and ‘end the tampon tax’.
At two o’ clock 11 members arrived at the Town Hall to meet with Mayor Joe Pearson and his wife Sylvia to discuss his charity St Helens Mind. While there we were treated to a delicious afternoon tea prepared by Sylvia. We were delighted to present a cheque for £750 to this excellent local charity who support so many people.
Last action of the day was carried out by Alice and Linda who delivered the 75 children’s books, we donated for World Book Day, to St Helens Women’s Refuge. This will assist the women to support their chidren’s education at this most difficult time of their lives.
Women’s Day Event March 10th
Soroptimists were up bright and early to prepare the town hall for our International Women’s Day Event. With over 20 stalls showcasing a variety of women with small businesses, a beauty parlour hosted by the students of St Helens College, chances to try out activities such as badminton tai chi and bricklaying, as well as local organisations offering education, health, and support services to local women along with the Girl Guides. The hall looked great; so many talented and interesting women. We had visits from the Mayor and Mayoress and our local MP Marie Rimmer who all had a go at bricklaying!
Everyone who attended the day enjoyed it and we had a number of membership enquiries which we will follow up.
With our actions over the two days we covered all our aims to #press for progress on the International Women’s Day themes of We will Forge the Positive Visibility of Women, We will Celebrate Women’s Achievements, We will Influence the Actions of Others and We will Challenge Stereotypes and Bias. We also managed to meet some of our club’s target, in our 75th year, to include the number 75 in as many of our projects as possible.
We are always looking for women to join our vibrant organisation. If you want to make a difference to the lives of women and girls contact us at sisthelens@gmail.com or via the website: sigbi.org/st-helens/contact-us
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